Rincon de Loix, Benidorm

Rincon de Loix is Benidorm's newest district, situated at the eastern end of the Levante beach. It is the most popular part of the city for many British, Dutch and Scandinavian visitors, as well as domestic Spanish tourists. The accommodations here include many stylish hotels and up-scale apartments, and it has the largest concentration of high-rise resorts in Benidorm, built on the slopes of the rocky headland of the bay. Some of the streets leading to the beach from the hotels might be considered a bit steep for older visitors, but the pay-off is the outstanding views of Benidorm, the coast, and the sea.

The Rincon de Loix-end of Levante beach has beautiful golden sand, and an abundance of water sports opportunities for those who want to do more on holiday than just relax in the sun. Boat trips, jet-skiing and windsurfing are all catered for here, and Rincon de Loix is also the site of a renowned cable-ski operation that provides training and fun-rides for water-skiing and wake-boarding enthusiasts. The facility is situated about 100 metres off the beach, and is one of the most advanced in the world, and reaches speeds of 60 kilometres and hour. Visitors can pay for cable-ski rides by the hour or by the day, or sign up for instructional courses that can last from a couple of days to as much as a month. The cable ski is also the venue each year for several international water-skiing and wake-boarding competitions. There are several good snorkelling spots around the headland beyond the eastern end of the beach, and several dive shops near the beach will organise trips to more remote snorkelling and scuba diving sites.

The promenade behind the beach links Rincon de Loix to the main Levante beach and the historic old town clustered around Benidorm's rocky point central point, capped by the iconic church of St Jaime. Souvenir shops, market stalls, restaurants and cafés line the way, and it is a popular route for morning walks and for "people-watching" in the evenings. Almost all the hotels have live entertainment, but generally the Rincon de Loix district is more laid back than the hard-partying beach bars and clubs of the central Levante strip. Yet those who want to party where the action is can reach the Levante hot-spots in a few minutes walk. Rincon de Loix is also home to the Benidorm Palace, a famed dinner, cabaret and dancing venue that has featured on British television.

Food of every variety can be found at the many restaurants, cafés, and tapas bars along the beachfront and scattered throughout Rincon de Loix. The competition for diners keeps the prices relatively low - even in the chic restaurants of the upmarket hotels in the area. There are also several British-owned bars offering pub-food like fish and chips, and numerous fast food outlets and street stalls. Rincon de Loix has fewer shopping options than Levante, but away from the beach there are many souvenir shops and small boutiques. There are also two British supermarkets in the area, stocked with UK brands, and a lively indoor market on Calle Girona.